Dates in American history with numerical curiosity have largely been unremarkable

If New Year's Day (1/1/11) did not seem particularly noteworthy a week and a half ago, those who subscribe to numerology have a few more chances this year as they attempt to link numbers with real world events, including today, January 11, 2011 (1/11/11).

Over the last century, however, U.S. history has only provided a few examples of notable events on other eyebrow-raising dates on the calendar.

Many days came and went without much fanfare, such as February 2nd and 22nd of 1922, March 3rd, 1933, July 7th, 1977, and September 9th, 1999.

Even April 4th, 1944 was a relatively quiet day in U.S. history, despite the nation being embroiled in World War II.

There are, of course, exceptions, as notable events in American history are bound to take place even on dates with interesting numerical combinations.

For example, on May 5th, 1955 (5/5/55) West Germany became a sovereign state as the United States, United Kingdom, and France ended their decade-long military occupation after World War II.

June 6th, 1966 (6/6/66) was also notable when civil rights activist James Meredith was shot by a sniper in Hernando, Mississippi on his March Against Fear that encouraged voter registration for blacks in the South. Meredith was the first black to attend the University of Mississippi four years previously.

But there truly has been only one date during the last century that can raise the eyebrows of those looking for an 'End of Days'-esque natural event on dates with repetitive numerical patterns.

On November 11, 1911, the Great Blue Norther saw a cold wave strike several Midwestern cities - some of which saw the breaking of both their record high and low temperatures on that same day.

Temperatures in some cities hit the 70s during the day only to fall to the teens and even single digits by nightfall.

But there is no sense in waiting around for an extraordinary event to happen - or even to plan one in advance on dates of numerical interest.

For when the Chicago Cubs scheduled their first ever night game at legendary Wrigley Field on August 8, 1988 (8/8/88), the game was rained out in the 4th inning.

And then there is this following historical note, only somewhat related to U.S. history. On August 8th, 1988, Soviet troops began to withdraw from Afghanistan after a bloody and frustrating conflict that began nearly nine years prior in 1979.

The United States' Operation Enduring Freedom began in Afghanistan a little more than nine years ago as well, with a plan in place to begin withdrawing U.S. troops in July of this year.

Collin Peterson remarked last month that he is leaning to run for reelection to Minnesota's 7th Congressional District in 2016. If he does and is victorious, he will creep even closer to the top of the list of the longest-serving U.S. Representatives in Minnesota history. The DFL congressman is only the sixth Minnesotan to win at least 13 terms to the U.S. House of the 135 elected to the chamber in state history. Peterson trails 18-term DFLer Jim Oberstar (1975-2011), 16-term Republicans Harold Knutson (1917-1949) and August Andresen (1925-1933; 1935-1958), and 14-term DFLers Martin Sabo (1979-2007) and John Blatnik (1947-1974). Andresen died in office, Sabo and Blatnik retired, and Knutson and Oberstar were defeated at the ballot box in 1948 and 2010 respectively. At 70 years, 7 months, 11 days through Monday, Peterson is currently the ninth oldest Gopher State U.S. Representative in history. DFLer Rick Nolan of the 8th CD is the seventh oldest at 71 years, 1 month, 23 days.

Congressman Nick Rahall's failed bid for a 20th term in West Virginia this cycle, combined with a narrow loss by Nick Casey to Alex Mooney in Shelley Moore Capito's open seat, means that West Virginia Democrats will be shut out of the state's U.S. House delegation for the first time in over 90 years. The Republican sweep by two-term incumbent David McKinley in the 1st CD, Mooney in the 2nd, and Evan Jenkins over Rahall in the 3rd marks the first time the GOP has held all seats in the chamber from West Virginia since the Election of 1920. During the 67th Congress (1921-1923) all six seats from the state were controlled by the GOP. Since the Election of 1922, Democrats have won 76 percent of all U.S. House elections in the Mountain State - capturing 172 seats compared to 54 for the GOP.